Department Of English & Philosophy moves into new building, celebrates with open house event

In an exuberant and festive environment providing art, poetry, live music and food trucks for children and adults alike, the Department of English and Philosophy (DEP) celebrated its move into 612B, or what is frequently referred to as the General Instruction Building (GIB), with a community open house Nov. 9 at the U.S. Military Academy.

In the coming days, the 612B Building will receive an official name, according to Kris Fox, DEP executive officer. The newly designated office space offers more than 14,000-square feet with 17 fully enclosed offices, a conference room, two private meeting spaces and 44 open office spaces designed to accommodate multiple individuals.

“Over 50 personnel are occupying (the space) immediately with other users rotating through the building as the Academic Building Upgrade Program (ABUP) proceeds,” said Fox, who gathered answers from multiple sources within the Dean’s Directorate and cleared by G5-R.

As the new occupants settle into 612B, alongside DEP, the Center for Faculty Excellence, the Dean’s Office of Research, the Health Professions advisor, and the associate dean for Curriculum and Assessment will also share the building’s square footage with their DEP colleagues.

The 612B space will be their home for the immediate future as construction continues throughout West Point. This includes DEP’s longstanding space since the 1980s, Lincoln Hall, which is scheduled for a makeover soon.

“The building was designed as a swing space to accommodate a variety of users through the completion of the Academic Building Update Program,” Fox said. “The program is currently projected to take place over the next 20 years.”

During the open house, the community enjoyed food from Road Grub and 876 Jerk, food trucks that service the local area. The Cadet Jazz Forum offered entertainment from the Cadet Jazz Band, which was overseen by Staff Sgt. Bryan Ponton of the West Point Band, as the cadet group played music, songs and poetry through the duration of the event. In the upstairs common area of the two-level building, DEP Studio Arts offered attendees a chance to try their hand at charcoal drawings. Meanwhile, outside of 612B, children were provided with chalk to create drawings, and one child jokingly drew, “Welcome to the Tent,” alluding to the common anecdote among West Point employees of the look of the structure. Toward the end of the event, the Dean of the Academic Board, Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, spoke to everyone who gathered at the open house and recognized many of the people who were vital to the process of the move from Lincoln Hall to 612B.

Fox and Amy Sudol, DEP support services specialist, were presented with coins and will be honored with awards at a later date. Additionally, DEP instructors, Majs. Drew Paulson, Daniel Qualk and Haleigh Kirchenheiter were recognized with Impact Army Achievement Medals.

“Paulson oversaw the movement of all computers and department-level electronic equipment,” Fox said. “Paulson coordinated with G6 to ensure conductivity in the General Instruction Building upon the move into (the building) with no degradation of teaching ability.

“Qualk served as the liaison with Arnoff Moving Company to coordinate four distinct moves to three separate locations,” Fox added. “Qualk planned and oversaw the execution of the entire move process. Kirchenheiter led various components of the complex move and developed the concept of and initiated planning for the open house event.”

Maj. Tiffany Enoch was also recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation.

“Upon arriving to the department after parental leave, Enoch oversaw multiple moves with the Arnoff team and volunteered for any job associated with the move,” Fox explained. “Enoch was also instrumental in creating a welcoming space for the activities of staff, faculty and cadets in the General Instruction Building.”

According to the Dean’s Directorate, the building was made possible through “a wide partnership” among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including Michelle O’Donoghue, Silas Bowman and Brianna Eaton; the Directorate of Public Works, including project manager Lou Cirillo; DEP, including Fox, Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue and Maj. Ian Riley (G5-R/Superintendent); Maj. Bradford Witt (Dean’s Fellow for Modernization), Col. Rich Gash (Vice Dean for Resources) and Dr. Led Klosky, the Dean’s executive agent for Design and Construction.